"Forgiveness: Restitching the Fabric of Society" - UUSM Sunday Service - Decembers 12, 2021
Joshua Lewis Berg
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Christmas Eve Services - Online
Date / Time:
Friday, December 24, 2021 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm
"Cultivating Gratitude and Joy" - UUSM Sunday Service - December 5, 2021
Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray
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Where is the Joy?
Theme:
Opening to Joy
Sunday, December 26, 2021 - 10:30am
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
Worship Associate:
Robbert Schalekamp
It’s the day after Christmas. Where is your joy? Perhaps in the midst of your warm afterglow, or the ennui of another disappointment, or the internal conflicts that arise when there is so much social pressure to give, you are ready to contemplate the need for self-compassion. If you are in charge of your own TLC (tender loving care) what is it going to look like? Finding Joy in caring for yourself — how might you do that?Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Theme:
Opening to Joy
Friday, December 24, 2021 - 7:00pm
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
Worship Associate:
Kikanza Nuri-Robins
Dancing with your shadow in the Season of Lights. A star appears in the night sky, angels visit shepherds, and a poor child is born in a manger. Come hear the ancient story and consider its meaning to our lives and our world. It may stir our imaginations and warm our hearts this winter season. Our special Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be livestreamed from our sanctuary at 7 pm. There is limited seating available for those who register with the office in advance. On Christmas Eve, the offering will go to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund.
UPDATE 12/14/21:
We have decided to increase the seating capacity to allow for 20 members and friends in the Sanctuary and 10 in Forbes Hall, in addition to our staff members and choir. Unfortunately, as we are still in the transitional phase of the pandemic, we have to restrict in-person attendance to members and friends. We require vaccination, well-fitting masks, and social distancing while on the church campus.
Don’t forget your mittens! It will likely be cold in both spaces as we have to open the windows and doors to provide good ventilation, so please dress warm and come prepared for a chilly but moving holiday service.
You can register to attend with the church office on a first-come, first-served basis. You will need to send Cyndee Hayes a picture of your COVID-19 Vaccination Card (and vaccination cards for everyone in your party), if you have not done so already, to register to attend in person. You can use this form to RSVP.
Our Online Candlelight Christmas Eve Service is accessible to all of our families and friends, so we hope to be with you virtually, if not in person, this year on our Facebook Page or through YouTube.
Vaccine Boosters
We encourage everyone to speak with their healthcare providers about the appropriateness of receiving a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccines to help protect you and the larger community. Waning antibodies means many of us no longer have the protection we once did and it makes sense to boost protection this holiday season if you haven’t already. A booster shot is not yet required to attend in-person services and meetings, but we encourage you to consider it with your healthcare provider.
May we all be open to receiving the joy of beloved community this holiday season!
Sources of Our Liberal Faith
Theme:
Opening to Joy
Sunday, December 19, 2021 - 10:30am
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
Worship Associate:
Chela Metzger
Born in the liberal Christian tradition, with roots in Judaism, Unitarian Universalism has blossomed to include many sources of wisdom. Come learn more about the sources of our liberal faith and the religious diversity you’ll find in any UU community.
Forgiveness: Restitching the Fabric of Society
Theme:
Opening to Joy
Sunday, December 12, 2021 - 10:30am
Joshua Lewis Berg
Worship Associate:
Kikanza Nuri-Robins
What does forgiveness mean? Why do we forgive? Can we forgive even after great harm? How do we come back into beloved community when covenant is broken? In our deeply divided society, where reacting in defense has become almost instinctive, making forgiveness second nature seems more important than ever for radical healing. From the most atrocious breach of trust to a simple white lie, let us consider the necessity of forgiveness.
We welcome Joshua Lewis Berg, who was born and raised in the Detroit area but has called Southern California his home on and off for more than a decade. As a humanist celebrant since 2015, he has officiated many celebration-of-life ceremonies. He was also a board member of The Humanist Society. From 2019-2021, he served as the Ministerial Intern at Northwest UU of Southfield, MI, and he has preached in dozens of congregations across the country. From January through May, he will serve as the 1/4-time minister for Emerson UU Church in Canoga Park, while the Rev. Matthew McHale is on Sabbatical. In May, Joshua will graduate from Meadville Lombard Theological School with a Master of Divinity and then be ordained a UU minister in June.
Cultivating Gratitude and Joy
Theme:
Opening to Joy
Sunday, December 5, 2021 - 10:30am
Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray
Worship Associate:
Robbert Schalekamp
The Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray invites us to consider how we practice gratitude and find joy in the midst of the holiday season. Please join us for this special service in partnership with our denomination, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA).
Our distinguished guest began her six-year term as president of the UUA in June 2017. As president of the Association, she is responsible for administering staff and programs that serve its more than 1,000 member congregations. She also acts as principal spokesperson and minister-at-large for the UUA. Susan brings a strong focus on mission and strategic planning to her leadership at the UUA as it works to dismantle systems of white supremacy. As president, and as a life-long Unitarian Universalist, she has emphasized that this is no time for a casual faith and no time to go it alone.
"8 Elements of Congregational Ministries (Revisited)" - UUSM Sunday Service - November 28, 2021
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
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Tour Ballona Wetlands
TOUR BALLONA WETLANDS, SATURDAY DECEMBER 4.
One of the few remaining coastal wetlands in Southern California
There are unique plant habitats and interesting birds to view. Binoculars will be available to borrow. The tour will involve about a mile of flat walking.
We will meet at 10:30am. Park in the dirt parking lot behind Gordon's Market in Playa Del Rey (303 Culver Blvd. 90293 for finding on GPS) Take Culver Blvd. almost to the ocean and turn into the dirt parking lot behind Gordon's Market. In the northeast corner of the parking lot will be a gate entrance to the wetland.
Los Angeles Audubon requires that all participants be vaccinated and remain masked throughout their visit even though we will be outdoors.
Please RSVP to Adult RE so that we can get a head count and would be able to contact you in the unlikely event that the tour would be canceled. AdultRE@uusm.org.
Date / Time:
Saturday, December 4, 2021 - 10:30am - 12:00pm